Local Seniors Graduate from Brain Fitness Program

LONGMEADOW — Who wouldn’t like to improve their memory? Ethel Grant, a recent graduate of the Posit Science Brain Fitness course held at Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS), has seen a significant improvement in her own memory. Longmeadow residents Grant, Harold Ser, and Gerard Sterling completed this eight-week course, which was facilitated by Mary Argenio, program coordinator at Ruth’s House, and is offered to small groups on a regular basis.

The computer-based program, designed by a group of university neuroscientists, has transformed recent discoveries in brain research into practical programs that can help improve memory, communication, and thinking skills in mature adults. The Posit Science Brain Fitness program includes a series of scientifically based, fun, and engaging exercises that participants perform in a classroom setting. It is non-invasive, natural, and allows participants to set their own pace and adjust to their individual abilities and needs.

Charlene Drake, executive vice president of Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center, was instrumental in bringing this program to the JGS campus. “This is a challenging program,” she said. “Participants may have classes where they become frustrated and want to throw the computer out a window. The program challenges each student against themselves to increase brain activity. It is hard work and the documentation proves that it pays off.” Graduates generally agree with Grant in that, at the end of each program, they feel that it is time well-spent.

Jewish Geriatric Services was one of the first entities in the state to offer this program and has offered Posit Science Brain Fitness on its campus for four years. Data received from each class indicates participants improving in some area as much as 75{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5}.